Justice For Joe campaigner does Sea2Summit

WHAT inspires a woman to leave her comfortable existence in Hertfordshire and drag herself around Westport on a wet Saturday morning among thousands running and cycling from the shores of Clew Bay to the summit of Croagh Patrick?

Rebecca Griffin wouldn’t classify herself as an athlete and never imagined she’d take part in such an event but there was a burning desire driving her to participate in Saturday’s adventure race.

“As a mother I wanted to take part, wear the ‘Justice For Joe’ top and raise awareness of what happened a beautiful boy in the middle of the night six years ago in Mayo. Joe (Deacy) was my son’s best friend. He was in and out of our house thousands of times, and here in Westport I wanted to appeal to all parents out there to keep looking for answers and give comfort to Joe’s poor mam and dad,” she told The Mayo News.

Rebecca took part in the Sea2Summit Adventure Race to raise awareness of the ongoing quest to solve the murder of Joe Deacy from St Albans near London, who was found dying on the side of a road in Gortnasillagh near Swinford in August 2017.

“I’m here as a parent, appealing to all other parents and asking each of them to look into the hearts and do everything possible to bring out the truth,” the Roscommon native stated.

The late Joe Deacy. Pic: Facebook/JusticeforJoeDeacy

“Almost every family in the west of Ireland has sent their sons and daughters to other countries over the decades. Can you imagine what it would be like being woken up in the middle of the night to be told your son or daughter was found dying on the side of the road in another country?

“But that’s what Adrian, Alison and the family have had to live with and nobody will tell them what happened. Can you even begin to imagine the horror of that? Can you even begin to imagine the impact that news has had on Joe’s friends and all of us in that wonderful circle who forged life-long bonds through St Colmcille’s GAA Club.

“We cannot rest until Joe’s murder is solved and as a mother I want to ask all parents to do everything possible to help us. If a young Mayo boy or girl was killed in such a manner in England or America or Australia, the whole county would rise up and do everything possible to support the grieving family.

“I’m asking the people of Mayo to do exactly the same thing for Joe. The grief is getting worse with every passing day and our determination is growing with every passing day. Please help us.”

Wearing the ‘Justice For Joe’ football jersey during Sea2Summit, the well-known Roscommon native completed the race despite a heavy head-cold. She was accompanied by family members and supporters, and was very thankful for the welcome received along the route.

“So many people stopped me and asked about the jersey. There is a ground-swell of support out there and we will continue driving forward for Justice For Joe,” she concluded.